Top Gear is coming back four years after it was pulled from our screens, reveals KATIE HIND. So who are BBC bosses putting in the driving seat? Er... Jimmy Carr

The moment Top Gear bosses saw the severity of Freddie Flintoff's injuries after his terrifying crash in December 2022, they thought there was little chance of the show ever returning to our television screens – particularly to the BBC.

The serious facial and rib damage Flintoff suffered when his open-top three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 rolled over at Dunsfold Aerodrome also made it highly unlikely any other TV star would want to replace the former England cricket hero.

Four years on, however, and both those schools of thought have been upended.

For not only has the BBC pulled off the impossible and orchestrated a Top Gear return, but it has wooed a big-name host, too – one who is, on the face of it, a very unlikely choice.

I can reveal that bosses are soon to unveil Jimmy Carr, the comedian best known for hosting Channel 4 comedy panel shows such as 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Big Fat Quiz Of The Year, as their wildcard to give the show a 'comedy edge'.

'There were some jaws on the floor when his name was put into the mix,' says my source. 'People thought it was a joke. But the deal is in place, all there ready to be signed. Those in charge think he's the perfect man for the refresh.'

Because while Carr is best known for his waspishly dry humour, he's also a true car enthusiast. His valuable personal collection includes an Aston Martin DB6, a Ferrari California and a Bentley GT. He has also owned a Rover 75 (which he comically refers to as 'the mock-Tudor Jag') and a Range Rover.

In 2014 he told Top Gear Magazine about the time he drove a Marussia F1 car. 'I got to do three laps and probably did 160mph, maybe 180mph on the straight,' he said. 'The acceleration is extraordinary, but the brakes take your breath away. You think: 'I'm going to brake,' and then it's already happened. It's phenomenal.'

And if there is anything Jimmy is unsure of on the revamped Top Gear set, sources say there will also be influencers famous within the car community in the audience bringing their own expertise and insights.

While Jimmy is said to be thrilled with his new job, there's bad news for his predecessors Paddy McGuinness (widely panned during his reign on the show for having little knowledge of cars) and automotive journalist Chris Harris, neither of whom, it is understood, will be back.

Insiders tell me while Jimmy will have a co-star, bosses are very keen for it to be a woman. One name heavily tipped for the role is the glamorous rally champion Catie Munnings.

The 28-year-old is a regular contributor to the official Top Gear magazine and podcast and boasts an impressive driving resume, including becoming Ladies European Rally Champion aged just 18.

She has also hosted her own show on CBBC, Catie's Amazing Machines, and landed a lucrative sponsorship deal from energy drinks manufacturer and sports team owner Red Bull.

Another surprise is that The Stig – the legendary anonymous helmeted driver – will return.

The man who played him in the last series, Paul Rees, was a passenger in Freddie's car and claims he was left with a broken back and post-traumatic stress disorder following the crash. He is suing BBC Studios for up to £150,000 in personal injury damages.

As for the new Stig, bosses are apparently not ruling out another woman in that role. My source says: 'Yes, Jimmy is signing, and he's been told the show will have a core pair at the helm – so him and one co-host – which is a bit of a shift from the previous line-ups. There may well be some guests joining along the way, too.

'The Stig is returning but they are keen to have a female racing driver in that role. This will look like a new show, so a totally new line-up feels like a good break from the past.

'The next stage is to confirm the co-host, and then get a production schedule in place for early next year so it can be back on screens sooner rather than later.

'Catie Munnings is a definite favourite for female co-host. A professional racing driver, she's an established TV presenter, too, and has a very easy personality on screen. She's also worked a lot within the Top Gear brand on the magazine and on podcasts and online videos. She's an absolutely perfect fit.'

Rather extraordinarily, the show is set to return to the scene of Freddie's terrible accident, Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

It had been earmarked for a housing development after the BBC stopped production and council chiefs approved planning permission. However, that work has now been halted, preserving the show's iconic racetrack.

Alongside the main hosts will be a series of guest appearances and bosses are considering using other celebrity presenters on an ad-hoc basis for individual features.

Those being discussed include the likes of Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson, a self-professed car fanatic, and The Celebrity Traitors favourite and former England rugby player Joe Marler.

Plans to revive Top Gear were first raised at the Edinburgh TV Festival last month, where BBC director of entertainment Ed Havard confirmed production of the global franchise was restarting.

Launched originally in 1977 as a conventional consumer programme, the show underwent a turbo-charged transformation in 2002 under the guidance of executive producer Andy Wilman and hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.

The maverick presenting trio proved a huge hit and the show a lucrative export for the BBC. At its peak it was broadcast in more than 200 territories worldwide, earning a Guinness World Record as the most watched factual TV programme.

But the show's signature thirst for adrenaline resulted in some near-fatal incidents. In 2006 Hammond suffered severe brain injuries after crashing a Vampire dragster at 288 miles per hour.

Flintoff, too, was almost killed. Travelling with an unsuitable helmet in a car not fitted with traditional airbags, he suffered life-changing facial injuries and broken ribs.

The severity of his crash prompted an immediate internal review within the BBC; a massive financial settlement for the injured host, rumoured to be worth £9million; and a public outcry over production safety.

BBC chiefs announced the format would be indefinitely 'rested'.

This revived version, though, will be accompanied by the strictest safety procedures. Insiders say the focus will shift away from some of the most high-octane and dangerous stunts, and professional drivers are likely to be used for the riskiest filming segments.

A source said: 'When the comeback was first conceived the number one concern was always safety. There are going to be dedicated safety executives overseeing every element and fully qualified medical emergency professionals on site at every session. Nothing will be left to chance. Serious lessons have been learned.'

The only doubt now is whether the sharp-tongued Carr will achieve that elusive on-screen chemistry with glamorous daredevil Catie? Only time will tell...

READ MORE: Top Gear legend The Stig says he 'nearly died' in car crash with Freddie Flintoff as he reveals his identity as driver Paul Rees